PHOTO CAPTIONS:

1. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer Haruna (DD 141) (on left) receives an underway fuel replenishment along with the carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), from the USNS Tippecanoe (TAO 199) (in center), during ANNUALEX 99.

2. Lt. Nobuka Ogaswara observes a demonstration of mission planning by U.S. Navy crew members on board the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during ANNUALEX 99.

3. An F/A-18 fighter/attack aircraft soars over the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) during an air power demonstration for Japanese officials.

4. A U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye radar aircraft flies over the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) in a carrier air power demonstration for Japanese officials during exercise ANNUALEX 99.

5. A U.S. Navy S-3 Viking, an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, lands on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during a carrier air power demonstration for Japanese officials.

6. The JDS Myoko (DD 175), a JMSDF destroyer participating in exercise ANNUALEX 99.

Photo: CPM Mahlon K. Miller, USN

In addition to large-scale ground and air operations in exercise ANNUALEX 99, operations in defense of Japan were also exercised at sea. Between 5-12 November, a bilateral Japan-U.S. maritime exercise took place in the Sea of Japan. This maritime exercise tested the ability of the U.S. Seventh Fleet and elements of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to conduct coordinated bilateral operations in the defense of Japan.

Photo: PH1 (NAC) James G. McCarter, USN

The maritime operations focused on improving air, undersea and surface warfare, and command and control, as well as fostering enhanced military-to-military relationships.

Photo: PH1 (NAC) James G. McCarter, USN

The centerpiece of the U.S. naval force was the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) with its Battle Group, known as Task Force 70. The USS Kitty Hawk, which is America's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. Its offensive and defensive firepower is centered on Carrier Air Wing Five, which is forward deployed at Atsugi, Japan, and has about 75 aircraft on board, when deployed.

Photo: PH1 (NAC) James G. McCarter, USN

Coordinated operations included a bilateral refueling operation at sea while underway, known as underway replenishment. The JMSDF destroyer JDS Haruna (DD-141) conducted an underway replenishment together with the USS Kitty Hawk from the USNS Tippecanoe (TAO-199) in the Sea of Japan. Japanese naval officers also visited the USS Kitty Hawk to observe mission planning.

Photo: PH1 (NAC) James G. McCarter, USN

Eleven Japanese defense officials, including Adm. Yasumasa Yamamoto, Chief of Staff of the JMSDF, were invited aboard the USS Kitty Hawk to witness a series of air power demonstrations by CVW-5 pilots. There they were briefed by Rear Adm. Timothy J. Keating, Commander of Task Force 70. The officials toured the carrier and witnessed air maneuvers by F/A-18 jet fighter/attack aircraft, EA-6B Prowler radar jamming aircraft, and an E-2C Hawkeye radar aircraft which can warn the carrier of enemy aircraft or assist with air traffic control.

The Japanese officials then boarded two helicopters of the JMSDF Anti-submarine Squadron 14 to visit the JDS Myoko (DD-175), also participating in the exercise.

Official JMSDF Photo

The powerful presence of the huge, 5,000-man, aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk in Japan and its demonstrated capabilities in the important bilateral defense exercise ANNUALEX 99 underscores the continuing importance of the Japan-U.S. relationship.